Chapter 45

Evangeline

THEY LEFT THE dungeons, taking a series of hallways. They slipped between secret passages and the underground tunnels, avoiding the hysterical crowd that died down in volume. All that was left were bodies on the floor that Evangeline avoided looking at. They passed by several soldiers and guards who took out their swords, but one look at Ceven, Tarry, Ed, and Taryn had them sheathing their weapons, saluting them before passing. Others weren’t as accepting, but they quickly cut them down, several of Barto’s soldiers dispatching and distracting the Peredian soldiers to let them run away.

They continued down a narrow set of steps in the east wing, leading into a cavernous basement. Evangeline gaped at the metal doors, almost equivalent to the city’s gates in size. This wasn’t a basement, but an underground fortress.

In front of the doors stood more soldiers. Both Peredian and Atiacan, if she were judging by their armor.

“Glad to see that you rookies made it,” Taryn bellowed, clasping the Rathans on the back. Like Ed, he was in silver-plated armor with the winged crest on the breastplate.

“Rookies,” Ed snorted. “You’re more wet behind the ears than any of us, Tar.”

Ceven walked up to the doors. The soldiers straightened and saluted him. It was bizarre to witness such respect after all those years of the nobles snuffing their noses at him. Maybe after all his training and years of sweat, Ceven had earned his place in this kingdom. Or at least with these soldiers.

A metal box with number pads was fixated on the wall beside the massive doors. It reminded Evangeline of the machinery back in the ruins she and Avana had explored. Ceven pressed his hand to the screen, and the doors opened with a thunderous roar. Evangeline jumped back, and Quan smirked at her, but she remained fixated on the large room in front of her. Bright lights flickered on overhead to illuminate the large, concrete fortress. She’d thought she was beyond surprises at this point, but she was wrong.

“What is that?” she exclaimed at several hefty machines that reminded her of a bird about to take flight.

“They’re airships. Machines built for flight.” Ceven’s face hadn’t changed since they’d left Xilo behind. Like a closed book, all his thoughts were kept behind a mask of indifference. “This is Peredia’s largest shipping warehouse. Everything of importance is sent here through a complex system of underground tunnels.”

The room they were in was vast, with ceilings high enough to encompass not just one, but several airships, amongst other things. Evangeline recognized some machines from her readings in the library and discussions with Raiythlen. Crates filled with guns and other large machines she assumed were used to transport people and objects, based on her present knowledge. The room was too large, however, to even see its entire contents.

“It’s going to be a long ride, and bumpy,” Barto chimed.

Evangeline didn’t understand. Were they going to take an airship? How would they get out of the basement? How did they get it in here to begin with?

Ceven led her past the airships to an opening in the side of a round metal container, taking up the expanse of the room. Inside was a smaller metal pod set upon two steel rails.

“This is our ticket to Atiaca,” Ceven told her bewildered expression. He waved several people over. He asked for a med kit and helping hands. “Like Barto said, it’ll be a long trip, but we should be safe.” His hands grazed her cheek, and she winced. “And we’ll get you patched up and some sleep. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“As long as you fix yourself up too.” She pointed at the side he favored and kept trying to hide from her. He looked just as bad as she did.

Barto hopped inside the metal cylinder, placing himself at the front. He tampered with several buttons before pulling a lever. A loud hiss came from the machine, which Evangeline prayed was a good sign. It had no windows, no seats, and felt as if it lacked proper ventilation. Were they really going to ride in this? Then again, what choice did they have?

Ceven helped her into the container, and she tried to squash down the feelings of being trapped. Rasha and Quan squeezed in beside her, then Tarry. Even with his blue-and-gray wings folded, she felt the air tighten. This truly was going to be a long trip.

Still on the platform, Ceven faced Taryn, Ed, and the other Peredian soldiers. They all had their fists over their chest.

“You are the true king of Peredia,” Ed said, and others nodded.

Ceven put a hand in front of him and bowed. Like a king to his subjects. “I’ll be back. I swear it on the queen’s grave.” Evangeline raised her brows at him. They did have a lot to catch up on.

Taryn grinned. “We’ll keep the place warm and ready for your safe return.”

Ceven was last to step into the metal pod. The door slid shut behind him, and he propped himself beside her on the floor. With everyone sitting cross-legged—except Quan and Barto and the Rathan woman who sat beside her, a med kit opened on the floor—the pod was still a tight squeeze. A single light shone painfully bright above them. Even if she tried to sleep through this trip, it would be near impossible with a makeshift sun blinding her. Then again, her body craved to do nothing but sink into oblivion—regardless of her surroundings.

The ground rumbled as the vehicle departed the station.

The Rathan woman, with soft brown eyes and dark hair curling around a kind face, carefully rubbed Evangeline’s cheek. She tried not to wince as Barto spoke over the vibrations. “It’ll be a long journey to Atiaca, but trust me, you’re going to love it, Eve. It’s nothing like this dreary place.”

Evangeline gave him a half-hearted smile but winced again when the woman grazed over the fresh skin that had healed from Vane’s bite. She clenched her eyes shut, remembering his teeth sinking into bone, but now an almost numb, stinging pain took its place. Ceven rubbed her back, and she loosened a breath. For a moment, everything was okay. Ceven was here. Alive. They both were alive. Even if the pod they were in came crashing down, they’d made it this far, alive and together. She leaned against him, grateful for the comfort, his warmth. She was finally leaving Peredia. After all these years of dreaming about it, it was now happening. She felt selfish, and yet she still wished Lani were here with her.

I made it, Lani. Can you see me from where you are? Evangeline looked up as if she could peer through the bolted metal mesh to wherever her friend was now. So much has happened. I wish you were here with me; I miss you so much. Evangeline’s smile wobbled. I love you, Lani. I hope you have finally found the peace of mind you have been searching for.

Evangeline let the soft vibrations of the vehicle relax her. This past month had been enough excitement for her for the rest of her days. She didn’t want to dwell on the fact that she had left Raiythlen, not knowing if he was alive or dead. That Sehn—Council member Aimee—was now king, and what that meant for the future. If Petri and the others had successfully saved those humans or if the rebellion for human rights was another war lying in wait after today.

But a dark part inside of her uncoiled, the one who had embraced the war, the violence, the blood. Who had sunk their teeth into that Caster’s neck and relished its taste. Who had celebrated Vane’s death, whispered, who cares, they’re not your problem.

Evangeline shoved down the unsettling thought and closed her eyes.

The pod hummed, swaying slightly, her head bobbing against Ceven’s shoulder and the cool metal wall at her back. The closet-sized pod smelled of cleaning alcohol, but at least it covered the stench of blood. Nothing but the rustling and occasional hiss as everyone’s wounds were cleaned, bandaged, and stitched took over the silence.

“A new country, a new culture, new faces. A little scary, but exciting, huh?” said Barto, breaking the short-lived silence.

“I think I can handle it,” Evangeline muttered.

“But I don’t think I’ll handle it if you talk this entire trip,” Rasha snapped at Barto, whose furred ears flicked back. Evangeline couldn’t help but laugh—she’d been thinking the same thing. Ceven chuckled, and soon everyone joined in, breaking free of what had just happened.

If only for a little while.